Welcome! I know when I first found this site, many Elders told me to read read read….and I did. Elders are those with one or more years of being quit. If you like what someone has to say, then you may want to read their blogs. I have some listed below.

So here's the thing.....and you may not like what I am about to say....and that's ok. I get it.You need to accept that this is an addiction. Before you do that, it will be much more difficult to quit and stay quit.

Read read read. Do the steps to PREPARE yourself to quit. Do the steps so you are PREPARED on quit day and for the days AFTER quit day.

JACKIE1-25-15gave me the link to Alan Carr’s book, “Easy Way to Quit Smoking”. I actually didn’t read the online PDF, but purchased a book on CD from Amazon and listened to it in my car over and over again for the first two weeks of my quit.

Keep this site close and keep posting and asking for help. You will get it. You will get things you like and things you don't like, but don't give up!!! We have been through similar experiences and can share our strength and hope. We are here to support you!

Welcome to EX Swilliams1! We are all happy to see you here, and will all be happy to help you in any way we can! You will meet many newbie's like yourself, as well as Elder's who have been here a year or longer! If you need help, just post a blog, and subject line it "HELP" Believe me, someone will get with you soon! Congrats on making the best choice you can make by quitting smoking! You are giving yourself the gift of life! So get started reading and you'll be on your way to becoming a quitter!

do lots and lots of reading in Newbie Quitters, Wisdom and Motivation, Relapse Prevention. Go through the steps that they have outlined in the beginning under My Quit Plan, start tracking your cigarettes to learn when and why you smoke. Most importantly fill out the section of How I Plan to Beat my Tobacco Triggers. Here you develop your own personalized tailored plan on how you are going to essentially retrain your brain. I smoked for 43 years at 2 to 3 pack a day habit. I'm close to 3 years quit now. It's not that hard and only as hard as you make it to be. Welcome to a brand-new way of life !!!!!!

You have already gotten lots of great advice. Just want to emphasize that preparing makes such a difference to being successful. Knowing what you're going to do in advance when you have a craving or are in a situation where you normally smoke, is the the key. And, educating yourself about this addiction helps you to understand the journey your about to begin. You can do it

The problem with your past quit attempts was that you probably didn't have pertinent information to educate yourself, plan and prepare. We can help with ALL that - but you must provide the commitment not to smoke another cigarette NO MATTER WHAT.

(and btw - there are no silly questions or comments here )

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. You can search for it or at your local library. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmoking.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site.

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort. I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced. Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.

You need to distract yourself through any craves. You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game. Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time. You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits. Get busy! Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?" Then DO it. You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Your actual question "How", was answered by you! You reach out here on this site, and all the help and info you need will come to you! You started your quit when you logged on!!! Congratulations and Welcome to the Family! This is a wonderful family to be a part of!

I have implemented more fruit in my diet re weight control. With the extra money from the past "insidious habit - I can afford more fruit".

Cleaning helps me tremendously.

Coloring with brilliant colored markers in a coloring book that takes time to complete.

Word searches.

A lot of karaoke at home.{ I have a Bluetooth microphone that one of my children purchased for me for my bday. I'm sure she is sorry for getting it for me}. LOL

I wore the patch & chewed gum.

I started going to bed earlier as well. Apprehensive that the cravings were going to over -power me.

Anything that you go through may seem weird but in the end its all about what worked for ME & how much I WANTED TO BE IN CONTROL of what "I don't do anymore". Instead of allowing it to control ME.

The craving will last for 5-8 LONNNGGG minutes; as you probably already know. Therefore, its what you do between that time when it begins & when it ends. I'm still an emotional wreck & the slightest thing usually gets on my last nerve. I don't feel quite like myself. Feels as though something is missing or I forgot to do something. This is normal. As well as from day to day. All in all I am grateful & happy.

I've stopped keeping track of when I stopped. Even that started getting on my nerves.

You have gotten some GREAT advice...the reading is so important, you cannot be too educated about nicotine addiction, you have already been advised to read lots of different things. I found that I came here every morning and every evening and that the support and knowledge I got from this site were and still are priceless. Education, support, and COMMITMENT. You bring the commitment, you make your plan, you know what you will do instead of smoking, and you celebrate each and every day of freedom. You are taking your life back from the clutches of addiction and it is so worth it. It is not easy but it IS possible. You CAN do it...you have the tools and you have the support...my mantra was NOPE, Not One Puff Ever and I also used "I don't do that any more." One of my absolute favorites comes from OldBones-Larry "One step, and then another, will get you to where you want to be." Keep it in the moment and know that all you have to do is to get through one crave at a time and each time, you will be stronger. I so wish I had quit years and years ago, before I did irreversible damage. I can go forward from this place and I can do everything I can to take care of myself and to offer support to others who are quitting...getting support and giving support keep my quit going.

I am a new EX so I don't have the experience or knowledge of many on here so all I can add is what has worked for me. First you have to commit to quit. Don't wish it or want it, just do it. I found that dwelling on it made it worse so I treat it like anything bad and remove, accept, and move on. There will be struggles and it can seem horrible but I tell myself I am a fighter and have beat much worse. Get hobbies, take walks, and enjoy some YOU time. On my walks I take pictures of my travels, HA ha. This is for my quit journal. I've memorized my back yard down to every stone. Most important...........laugh. Good Luck, we've got your back.

Hello, I too was once in your shoes. I know that feeling. But hang in there, November of this year will be 6 years for me. One day I stopped and never touched them again. It was one of the hardest things I ever did in my life but I am so glad I did. I breath better and smell better now. Hang in there. Reach out to me if you need. I used this source daily for strength and it really helps.

It is actually much easier than most of us suppose. However it took the follow conditions for me to finally quit after nearly 30 years (just passed my 6 year quit date)

1) Read Alan Carr's book.

2) If you have a spouse who smokes, it will be more difficult if he/she does not also quit. On my final attempt, my wife also quit for good.

3) If you spend time around friends or coworkers who also smoke, it will more difficult if you continue to spend time with them when they smoke. On my final attempt, I had nearly completed my migration from commuting to the office to working from home. I was no longer tempted to go hang out on the smoking deck at work to get out of my office.

4) If you don't do exercise/aerobic activity that increases your heart rate on a regular basis, start now, at whatever level your health/doctor/etc. will permit and work your way up.

#4 was the magic key for me. I live in an area with a plethora of trails, and never took advantage of the amazing trail network, even though I have always loved trails. I started to ride my bike again after years. Then for laughs and giggles, I thought, "what would happen if I try to run 2 miles?" At first, it was horrible, but I kind of liked it and became hooked. After that first run, I never wanted to smoke again. Then to keep up the habit, I started a basic couch-to-5K program, and again -- you run a few miles, you do NOT want to smoke. You don't even THINK about smoking. I am now running half marathons. I regret that 30 years of smoking will probably prevent me from ever getting from 8.5 minute miles to 7.5 minute miles, but it's better than dying and it still feels great.

If you can't or don't like running, then find something else. Bike. Tennis. Hike. Swim. Anything that makes you breathe harder and gets your heart rate up. If .you have other health issues, talk to your doctor about a suitable activity. The key is to find an activity that not only makes you NOT want to smoke, but you actually forget about it...so that you don't even think about it. This site was great for me for the first couple of weeks, but honestly I stopped coming here because I just kind of turned my back on smoking and never looked back.

dear @Swilliams1! Welcome! I see a lot of the awesome elders on this site have already shared their excellent experience with you. I read Allen Carr's book the easy way to quit smoking...BUT I did that almost a year before I actually quit. At the end of the book I think he tells you to stop smoking but I stopped reading about 3 pages before the end because I knew I couldn't quit. I thought about it all the time, I thought smoking is disgusting. It stinks, it makes my teeth and hands yellow, my car stinks...I live in CA and EVERYWHERE is none smoking even some entire cities are none smoking now AND they just raised the price to over $8 a pack this year...so I had a million reasons to quit...but I knew I couldn't. I never even made it an entire day when I tried. But Allen Carr talked about how we're really giving up a lot more by continuing to smoke....friends, family, health, money....the only thing I give up when I stop smoking is a cigarette...and I gain all that other stuff back. I don't know...I guess it took almost a year for the idea that I was giving up a lot to keep smoking and I would gain a lot if I quit to sink in. I did have a health issue, that wasn't directly related to smoking but I am pretty sure smoking contributed, and then I decided you know what I'm sick of being owned by big tobacco.

Then really without much planning I decided you know what I'm done! I logged onto this site and asked a question about quitting just like you did...mine was should I patch it up or go smart turkey....I got a lot of support from the members of this site...then the next day I got on my knees in the morning and begged who ever runs this show to help me remain smoke free and I did not smoke. I got to work without any cigarettes!! It was seriously a miracle!!! It was amazing that I went an entire morning...then the afternoon...I wasn't smoking and I was actually okay. Was I spacey, yes, was I feeling weird, of course...but I wasn't dead and it was temporary. Did you know nicotine is completely out of your system in 72 hours? I read this site A LOT! I identified triggers and made a plan to address them when they came up. I yelled NOPE (Not ONE PUFF EVER) at the top of my lungs when I'd see someone near me smoking. I ate a crap load of candies and drank a lot of water...I blogged on this site- twice a day in the beginning...I did anything except smoke. Today I celebrate 200 days smoke and nicotine free. I went smart turkey. My husband still smokes and I, by the grace of God, haven't had to join. It's crazy. If I can do it, so can you! Honestly, it wasn't that bad. It's actually really, really, really nice to not be burdened with the need to get cigarettes, find a place to smoke, then avoid everyone so I don't offend them with my stinky smokey presence. It's actually easier to not smoke. I do still think about it but it's getting way better and I know the thoughts will pass, I use the tools and tips I learned from this site and others.

Anyway, good luck to you! Keep trying! Don't give up! In closing...I give a quote I thought of a lot when I was "trying" to quit...

First, yu must set a date in the near future. Give yourself a week or two so you can mentally adjust.

Second, STAY ON THIS WEBSITE!! Blog when you’re trippin and needing a smoke.

Third, register for your state local quit effort. In Colorado I had a web site sponsored by state that sent free nicotine patches (not recommended by me as the goal is to get past nicotine, not use a diff version) AND, the website would call to see if your staying straight. The guilt worked for me. I didn’t want to say, “yes I smoked . “

Forth, keep in mind, each craving only lasts 1-2 minutes. When it happens, time it and muscle through. It WILL become less frequent.

Fifth, have a plan for how you will handle each craving. You’ll time it on your watch, you’ll jump on the treadmill, you’ll watch a movie. MAKE A PLAN.

Key milestones. First 3 hours, first 3 days. First week. First month. Mark the milestones on a calendar and CELEBRATE EACH ONE!!

THE MORE PROUD YOU BECOME? The less likely you’ll EVER smoke again!!

And last, you’re friggin worth it!! Do you really want to be all wrinkled up, dragging an oxygen tank? So not HOT!!

ONE LAST THING!! Nicotine is processed out of the body after seven days. After that it’s not physical, it’s mental. It’s up to your warrior inside to say “screw you cigs!” I’m a warrior princess!! I WILL WIN!!!’

I didn't believe most of what they said here at first either but how could SO MANY people have the same experience? It wasn't like I was going to be an exception to the rule. I read a LOT and really examined my reasons for wanting to quit. I wrote out a list of my own Pros and Cons... I did a lot of the excersizes here they suggest. I picked my date. I started Chantix as prescribed. I quit in the evening and went to bed so I could wake up in the morning starting with fresh. I had a plan. I also quit drinking alcohol because I knew I couldn't drink w/o smoking.

I am quit day 26. It was NOT as hard as I thought it was going to be. My cravings are lessening. I can now have wine or a beer and not think about smoking so that's not even a month into it and I have slayed that dragon.

You CAN do this, we are all living proof! But it has to be YOUR decision.